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Corsair Hydro H60 Review

Corsair Hydro Series H60 Conclusion:

I have to say that I was shocked by how well this new version of the H60 performed when put to the test. The performance was easily as good as one of the best air coolers on the market, the Phanteks PH-TC14PE.

At stock speeds it out-performed this large cooling solution by a degree under load. Pushing more heat through the CPU when overclocked resulted in a flip of the results with the PH-TC14PE ahead by a degree. What's even more impressive is that the newest Corsair Hydro series H60 was able to deliver results better than the previous top-of-the-line single 120mm radiator equipped Hydro Series H80. The changes made to the pump assembly and cold plate with its micro channel design, coupled with the larger diameter tubing, must help increase both flow and efficiency to have such a significant impact on cooling performance.

The cooling improvement is noteworthy, but so is that noise component of the assembly. Previous iterations had fans that would be considered loud when run at full speed. The new fan used on this version of the H60 is actually quiet by comparison. Running at 2000RPM, the fan noise signature is not noticeable above the rest of the noise from the video card and case fans, yet pushes enough airflow to make a difference in cooling.

The overall installation of the H60 is as easy, or easier, than previous Hydro Series Liquid coolers. The new mounting system for the pump is a change for the better, but the larger tubing can create space concerns when populating all of the DIMM slots on the motherboard.

Priced currently at $81, it is comparable in price or a few bucks less expensive than the best performing air cooler in the comparison suite of cooling solutions. I have to say that if this kind of improvement extends to the rest of the lineup, then using one of Corsair's latest Hydro Series High Performance Liquid CPU coolers is going to be the way to cooling nirvana, for the user not ready to step-up to a full-on liquid cooling solution.